Football fans are in for a treat as the Nigeria Super Falcons, nine-time champions of Africa, have announced an international friendly against European giants France. The match, a rematch of their 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage encounter, is set to take place at the picturesque Stade Raymond Kopa in Angers on November 30th.
A Chance for Redemption
The Super Falcons will be looking to avenge their narrow 1-0 defeat to France at the World Cup, where a controversial red card to defender Ngozi Ebere and a late penalty by Wendie Renard sealed Nigeria’s fate. The African champions, currently ranked 36th in the world, will relish the opportunity to test themselves against the 10th-ranked French side.
Building for the Future
For Nigeria, this friendly serves as a crucial step in their rebuilding process following the departure of coach Randy Waldrum. The Super Falcons are coming off two victories against Algeria last month (2-0 and 4-1) under interim coach Justin Madugu, who is expected to name a strong squad featuring some exciting new faces.
We took the decision to put a number of top-class games together for the rebuilding of the squad, to regenerate the team for future challenges.
Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President
The NFF has been proactive in arranging high-profile friendlies for the Super Falcons since 2019, with the team facing off against the likes of Portugal, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Mexico in preparation for major tournaments.
Les Bleues Eye EURO Glory
Meanwhile, France will use this game as a key part of their preparations for next spring’s UEFA Women’s Nations League and the highly-anticipated 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship in Switzerland. Les Bleues, who reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 World Cup, are determined to claim their first major international title.
Head coach Hervé Renard, who took over the reins in 2023, has been tasked with leading France to European glory. The friendly against Nigeria offers Renard a chance to assess his squad’s progress and fine-tune his tactics against a physically imposing and technically gifted African side.
A Showcase of African Talent
For the Super Falcons, this match is not just about the result, but also about showcasing the immense talent in African women’s football. With stars like Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Chiamaka Nnadozie in their ranks, Nigeria will aim to prove that they can compete with the best in the world.
As you can see from the two matches against Algeria, there are a number of good players in the domestic league here in Nigeria, and they were able to showcase their talent and skills.
Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF President
A strong performance against France could also boost the Super Falcons’ confidence ahead of next summer’s CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they will bid for an unprecedented 10th continental title.
The Road to Greater Heights
Despite never having beaten a top-20 ranked team, the Super Falcons have shown their potential by holding Olympic champions Canada to a 2-2 draw and defeating New Zealand, a team consistently ranked in the top 30. The friendly against France represents another opportunity for Nigeria to make a statement on the global stage.
As the women’s game continues to grow in popularity and stature, matches like these are vital in not only preparing teams for major tournaments but also in attracting new fans and inspiring the next generation of female footballers. The Super Falcons vs. France friendly promises to be an enthralling encounter, showcasing the best of African and European women’s football.
Football enthusiasts around the world will be marking their calendars for November 30th, eager to witness this heavyweight clash between two of the most exciting teams in women’s football. Will the Super Falcons soar to new heights, or will Les Bleues prove too strong? One thing is for certain – this friendly will be a match to remember.
For the Super Falcons, this match is not just about the result, but also about showcasing the immense talent in African women’s football. With stars like Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Chiamaka Nnadozie in their ranks, Nigeria will aim to prove that they can compete with the best in the world.
As you can see from the two matches against Algeria, there are a number of good players in the domestic league here in Nigeria, and they were able to showcase their talent and skills.
Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF President
A strong performance against France could also boost the Super Falcons’ confidence ahead of next summer’s CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they will bid for an unprecedented 10th continental title.
The Road to Greater Heights
Despite never having beaten a top-20 ranked team, the Super Falcons have shown their potential by holding Olympic champions Canada to a 2-2 draw and defeating New Zealand, a team consistently ranked in the top 30. The friendly against France represents another opportunity for Nigeria to make a statement on the global stage.
As the women’s game continues to grow in popularity and stature, matches like these are vital in not only preparing teams for major tournaments but also in attracting new fans and inspiring the next generation of female footballers. The Super Falcons vs. France friendly promises to be an enthralling encounter, showcasing the best of African and European women’s football.
Football enthusiasts around the world will be marking their calendars for November 30th, eager to witness this heavyweight clash between two of the most exciting teams in women’s football. Will the Super Falcons soar to new heights, or will Les Bleues prove too strong? One thing is for certain – this friendly will be a match to remember.
